Insigne gets warm welcome from TFC faithful

TORONTO — Hundreds of pairs of hands came together to form hearts as Toronto FC fans sang and cheered for Lorenzo Insigne.

A visibly touched Insigne made the loving gesture right back.

Insigne was formally introduced to Toronto FC fans Friday night, a celebration nearly seven months in the making after the Italian international signed with the Major League Soccer club Jan. 8.

"Thank you everybody for coming," said Insigne through a translator. "I just hope that during the game I can contribute and bring Toronto to victory."

Insigne then closed out his brief appearance on stage by switching to English and shouting "all for one!" into the microphone, with fans cheering his use of Toronto FC's motto.

His arrival may breathe hope into TFC's season as Toronto sits 12th in MLS's 14-team Eastern Conference with a 4-3-8 record.

The 31-year-old native of Naples, Italy, has 132 goals in 416 club appearances, mainly for Serie A club Napoli.

Insigne (pronounced In-SEEN-ya) signed a four-year contract with the Reds and enters MLS as its highest-paid player.

He overtakes Chicago's Xherdan Shaqiri who currently tops the league's salary list at US$8.153 million.

Insigne said Friday he was up for the challenge.

"(TFC president Bill Manning) did a great job. He really sold me on the project and the project is amazing," said Insigne, who makes the heart gesture as a tribute to his wife.

"I know it's going to be difficult because it's the first time I'm going to be away from Napoli but for me and my family it's going to be great."

He's expected to play his first game July 9, two days after the MLS secondary transfer window opens, at home against the San Jose Earthquakes.

TFC will have played 18 of its 34 regular-season games by then.

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